"Tai Chi should be a life philosophy. There are countless methods to evolve as a human being, among which Tai Chi presents itself as one of the techniques that can provide the progress in the personal development, being a way of reaching Happiness." Grand Master Fu Zhong Wen

From the age of nine, Fu Zhong Wen, was by Yang Cheng Fu's side, learning Wu Shu from him both by day and by night. Zhong Wen's diligence and determination in mastering the art of Tai Chi Chuan, saw him advance rapidly in the knowledge and expertise of Wu Shu. As he was learning directly from Cheng Fu, he was able to derive tremendous benefit from and gained profound insight into Tai Chi Chuan. Consequently his Wu Shu skills attained a very high standard.

As he matured in age and skill, Zhong Wen accompanied Cheng Fu in his travels around their homeland, to demonstrate their art. He also served as Cheng Fu's assistant in teaching and earned his Master's highest regard.

In their travels to Guangdong, Zhong Wen represented his Master in many local competitions, not once failing to uphold his Master's honour. So highly regarded was he by his peers, that Cheng Fu's first disciple,Chen Wei Ming wrote to him after their Master's death, acknowledging the excellence of Zhong Wen's Wu Shu and the accuracy with which he reflected their Master's art.

Following his Master death in 1936, Fu Zhong Wen continued to teach the authentic Taijiquan that had been taught to him - in order to advance this mission, he created the Yong Nian Taijiquan Association in 1944.
Since then, hundreds of thousands of students have come under his instruction. In May of 1958, Zhong Wen went to Shanghai City to teach a Wu Shu group there. Under his expert guidance, many of these students were successful competitors in the National Wu Shu competitions. Tai Chi Chuan as practised in Shanghai, is regarded as the best form of Tai Chi Chuan in the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.).

Ten years after the Associations foundation, Chen Wei Ming, first disciple of Yang Cheng Fu, paid tribute as follows:

“Mr. Fu Zhong Wen of Yong Nian has received the teachings and guidance from his relative, Yang Chen Fu Lao Shi. Mr. Fu has learnt accurately to a very high standard and has made no alterations, which is why people say that it is authentic...When it comes to continuing the legacy of Yang Style Taiji, who else can compare with Fu Zhong Wen?”

Before the passing of Master Fu Zhong Wen on the 25th september 1994 he was:

Vice President of the Shanghai Wu Shu Society

Chief Instructor of the Shanghai Wu Shu Association

Consultant and Patron of the Tongji University's Tai Chi Chuan Research Society

Professor of the Shanghai Chemical University

Yang Cheng FU's wish was for Fu Zhong Wen to pass on the family art of Tai Chi to the world, since that time he had worked tirelessly to promote Tai Chi in China. Due to restrictions on traveling out of china at that time, Fu Zhong Wen was unable to fulfill his master's wish of spreading Tai Chi to the rest of the world.

Today, the legacy of Fu Zhongwen is carried on by the World Yong Nian Taijiquan Federation.

Following the work of his father, Grand Master Fu Sheng Yuan, son of Fu Zhong Wen continues spreading out the teaching of Authentic Yang Tai Chi through the World. Fu Sheng Yuan began his training at a very young age and following in his father's footsteps he began his training at the age of 9, under the watchful eye of his father, Fu Sheng Yuan also master the skills of Tai Chi. He had the added advantage of not only being born in a Wushu family, but was also a member of the Yang family.

He has been a Tai Chi instructor and a sports coach at the Tonji University, Shanghai College of Economics, Shanghai Institute of Chemical Engineering and Ching-Wu Association. Master Fu has also been a referee on a number of occasions in International Martial Art Competitions.

Grand Master Fu Sheng Yuan was fortunate to see and learn from his father's kung fu brothers. Training with the experts has enriched his experience and understanding of the art immensely.

Grand Master Fu Sheng Yuan was also honoured by the Chinese Wushu Association with a life time achievement award for his contribution in promoting Tai Chi around the world.

Grand Master Fu Sheng Yuan is currently the president of the World Yong Nian Tai Chi Federation and Fu Sheng Yuan International Tai Chi Academy and his son Master Fu Qing Quan (James Fu) is the Vice-President.

Fu Sheng Yuan's Four Principles are as follows:

§LOYALTY

§FRIENDSHIP

§RECTITUDE

§HUMANITY

Master Fu Qing Quan

..."There is only one Tai Chi" Master Fu Qing Quan

Fu Qing Quan (James Fu) is the son of Fu Sheng Yuan and grandson of Fu Zhongwen. Consequently he has benefited from the highest quality training throughout his life.

In the late 1980’s he became an all-China National Champion in both the Hand (Quan) and Straight sword (Jian). He is the youngest person ever to be awarded a 7th Dan grading by the Chinese Wu Shu Association.

James Fu travelled widely with his grandfather and continues to accompany his father on his training trips. Although he emigrated to Australia in 1989, James has returned to China to teach and has several schools in Shanghai and Hong Kong. He runs regular coaching qualification courses for the World Yong Nian Taijiquan Federation in China, Japan, India, Portugal, Spain, Malasia...

The 1st Conference of the World Yongnian Tai Chi Federation was a success. From the 3rd to the 5th of June 2011 several member countries of World Yongnian Tai Chi Federation have met in met in Yokohama / Japan, namely Portuguese, Chinese, Australian and Japanese members.

It was held on the 10th April 2011 an inauguration ceremony promoted by the Government of Handan which aim was to mark the begining of the work to build a mausoleum in memory and honour of the Yang Tai Chi Family in his native village,

“To fly off, the bird needs to step onto a firm plane to lend force,” says Fu Qingquan, a modern-day master of the Yang family of tai chi. “Master Yang sensed that as the bird tried to step onto his hands and then he withdrew his force to give it no ground. Tai chi is very much about the ability to sense and destruct the opponent’s force at its roots.”

Today’s interview has the cooperation of Michael A. Selvaraj, one of our most dedicated members. He has answered some questions that we have pointed out in order to guide the presentation of his personal story that hereby we share with all of you.

The origin of Tai Chi Chuan is a controversial topic that incorporates a multiplicity of historical factors that include social, political and philosophical questions of the Chinese Culture. Several historical facts form a complex net of information, which linear analysis becomes of difficult understanding. Therefore and in order to clarify, as much as possible, the Tai Chi origin, I think that it is advisable to expose the several theories in a structured and clear approach, accordingly to a systematized model that suits three principal theories. Those theories characterize and differentiate the Tai Chi Chuan emergence, considering time and space variables, as well and obviously, in what concerns the historical characters that had been wrapped in this art birth.